Hear me when I call, offering ears favorable to his cause, O GOD OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS, literally, "my God of righteousness," since Jehovah is the Vindicator of righteousness when it is falsely represented and persecuted. THOU HAST ENLARGED ME WHEN I WAS IN DISTRESS, making room, space, for his anxiou... [ Continue Reading ]
EVENING PRAYER OF A CHRISTIAN IN EVERY KIND OF TROUBLE. David, in his flight before Absalom, had come to Mahanaim, on the east side of Jordan, 2 Samuel 17:24. He had a number of faithful men with him, but the army of Absalom, recruited from all Israel, was much larger. In order, therefore, to stimu... [ Continue Reading ]
O ye sons of men, men of prominence as many of them were, HOW LONG WILL YE TURN MY GLORY, the kingly dignity and authority given to him by God, INTO SHAME? HOW LONG WILL YE LOVE VANITY, the deceitful character of their rebellious plans, AND SEEK AFTER LEASING, the lying and falsehood with which they... [ Continue Reading ]
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself; He had, in a wonderful manner, selected David, and elevated him to the royal dignity. THE LORD WILL HEAR WHEN I CALL UNTO HIM; this was the confidence of his pious heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stand in awe, trembling before the wrath of God, AND SIN NOT, considering carefully lest they definitely endanger their own salvation; COMMUNE WITH YOUR OWN HEART UPON YOUR BED, deliberating when the silence of night was suited for such reflections, AND BE STILL, ceasing from their rebellious activi... [ Continue Reading ]
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, showing the soundness of their penitence, the real character of their conversion, by sacrifices of atonement, AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD, who would abundantly pardon after such an evidence of true godly sorrow.... [ Continue Reading ]
There be many that say, even in the little band of his faithful followers, WHO WILL SHOW US ANY GOOD? Would it be possible for them to experience deliverance in this time of great trouble? It is the cry which is apt to come to the lips of the truest children of God when all hope seems to be cut off.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, causing him to rejoice in the midst of his outward affliction and to await the deliverance of Jehovah with calm trust, MORE THAN IN THE TIME THAT THEIR CORN AND THEIR WINE INCREASED. In spite of the fact that the party of Absalom had rich provisions at their dispo... [ Continue Reading ]
I will both lay me down in peace, without further thought of worry, AND SLEEP, immediately drop off-into a refreshing sleep, undisturbed by anxious thoughts; FOR THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY, under the shelter of God's protecting hand the believer is always safe. For a Christian to spe... [ Continue Reading ]